Thursday, May 26, 2011

A brief paddle to nowhere...
with satisfying results

I measured the wind at 25 with gusts to 30 and some to 35 mph (on shore). So I launched the Cetus MV and headed out into much the same conditions as my first paddle with the new boat. I wanted to see if she would point up. She did, and I learned (or, rather, relearned) some lessons.

When I spend too much time doing repetitive sweep strokes I lose forward speed. That, in turn, makes the hull less responsive. So, keeping up my speed, I was able to paddle on all points of the wind. I did this without edging as I did not want to expose her belly to wind and waves. I was having a fine old time when the coast guard came up on C 16.

They said they were cancelling the small craft advisory. Great, I thought, I can stay out and paddle for a bit longer. Then they announced a gale warning, and I went ashore. I remeasured the wind to find the gusts were actually up to 40 mph. I was satisfied with the MV's behavior.

Paddle safe...
DS

6 comments:

JohnB said...

I thought "small craft advisory" was the Coast Guard's way of telling all boaters that there are small crafts (sea kayaks) on the water, so watch out for us. I dated a gal named Gail once, thanks for the warning -- I'll stay away from the lake front until the coast is clear.

Silbs said...

We need to talk :-)

avital said...

The Coast Gard- they go to each one of you? What kind of service they give you on the lake? Don't you have weather forecast? IS IT CHANGE SO FAST?

avital said...

It was mine...

Silbs said...

Avital, the CG will repond to all calls for help. Sometimes they ak if a boat in the area can help.

Weather forecast over emphasis the possibility of bad weather which keep folks ashore when it is safe to go out. My opionion. And, ye, weather can change fast here, especially if a quall (50knots) suddenly comes trough.

avital said...

Thanks. Mostly,we have moderate changes rarely it happens suddenly, unexpected. That why we paddle together...